IPL 2026: Du Plessis Sees Dhoni's Echo in Choudhary's Game
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New Delhi, April 10 (NationPress) Former South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis has expressed high admiration for the youthful batting talent Mukul Choudhary of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). He noted that Choudhary's finishing skills and impressive flick shots that led to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were reminiscent of the iconic MS Dhoni's batting style.
Playing at Eden Gardens, Choudhary delivered an impressive performance, scoring an unbeaten 54 runs off just 27 deliveries, which included seven sixes and two fours, ultimately securing the win for LSG on the final ball. “It’s astonishing to witness such awareness in guiding the game to the finish. The power exhibited by this young player is remarkable,” du Plessis commented.
“That was an exhilarating match, filled with ups and downs, and snatching victory at the last moment. Some of the shots reminded me of the days I watched MS Dhoni, especially those powerful flicks,” he added during an interview on JioHotstar.
While LSG has discovered a promising star in Choudhary, Du Plessis highlighted KKR's ongoing challenges in finding favorable outcomes. “There are pivotal moments in a season that can be defining, and you often look back thinking, ‘If only that had gone our way, everything would be different.’ This moment for LSG, finishing the game against the odds with a player who is still developing, underlines that. Conversely, KKR may feel that luck is not on their side,” he stated.
KKR, still in search of their first victory in IPL 2026, find themselves in a challenging situation. “They have now faced three losses alongside one game that was rained out. Those critical moments are simply not favoring them. I recall the first ball of the last over when an easy single was available for Avesh. Such details require full attention from the team if they aim to succeed,” concluded du Plessis.